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Autumn Bloom
Draped in History 02 / A Portrait of Autumn 03 / Autumn Bloom 04 / Seeing Red 06 / Check Mate 08 / Cecilia Fox 10 /
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Autumn Bloom
DRAPED IN HISTORY DEBENHAMS HISTORY
THE DEBENHAMS STORY DATES BACK TO 1778 WHEN WILLIAM CLARK ESTABLISHED A DRAPERS STORE IN LONDON’S WEST END SELLING EXCLUSIVE FABRICS. The store prospered through the Victorian era and in the early 1900s began offering tailor made suits inspired by the latest European trends. By the 1950s Debenhams had grown to become the largest department store in the UK with 110 stores. Over the next few decades the brand continued to flourish and in the 1990s introduced Designers at Debenhams, a new concept in retail that would give customers access to renowned British designers at affordable prices. Today our exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio includes names such as Studio by Preen and J by Jasper Conran to name a few. We are excited to share our proud British heritage with Melbourne while delivering new levels of service and technology for a seamless shopping experience. 2
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A PORTRAIT OF AUTUMN
Welcome to Portrait — our quarterly look at the latest trends, designers and people inspiring us this season. True to the name, Autumn Bloom serves up bursts of colour, floral prints, embroidery and how to pull it all together with our guest stylist Lana Wilkinson.
STUDIO BY PREEN Victoriana Blouse $119 Structured Cape $189
Cover RED HERRING Embroidered Mesh Dress $119
We also look to the awe-inspiring world of floral styling with botanical artist Cecilia Fox. Get ready to embrace the endless possibilities of a fun and fresh season. PORTRAIT editorial team
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FIND US GROUND & LOWER GROUND FLOORS ST COLLINS LANE, 260 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE
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AUTUMN BLOOM GET THE LOOK
WHETHER IT’S PRINTED, PAINTED OR EMBROIDERED, THE FASHION WORLD IS FLOURISHING WITH THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST TREND. With bright, sunny daisies and cheery sunflowers soon to become a distant memory of warm-weather past, moody florals that conjure up visions of dark romance take root this Autumn. ‘70s-inspired dresses graced with exploding prints of the garden variety give winter a sultry attitude and a reason to kick the hibernation habit. Forget potpourri — delicate chiffon dresses with billowing sleeves and asymmetrical hemlines printed with Autumn florals to create dramatic impact. Blouses with feminine ruching at the waist and embroidered foliage serve as a revival for your inner bohemian. When temperatures drop, it’s essential to get the blood flowing and the heart racing — compact shoulder bags with pink embroidered blooms add a head-turning element that make a grand entrance at even the most tame gatherings. 4
Play our exclusive video from Lana Wilkinson
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AUTUMN BLOOM
“SLIGHTLY VAMPY AND RICH AUTUMNAL TONES ARE WHAT YOU WANT”
STUDIO BY PREEN High Neck Shell Top $79.95
STUDIO BY PREEN Ruffle Tie Front Blouse $89.95
MAC Hyper Real Glow Palette $79
ISSEY MYAKE L’eau d’Issey Pure Nectar Eau de Parfum 50ml $130, 90ml $177 Available Mid-March
STUDIO BY PREEN Printed Hem Frill Skirt $89.95
J BY JASPER CONRAN ‘Juliosnip’ Toe Court $119
As seen in video OASIS Belted Floral Shorts $79.95
STUDIO BY PREEN Victoriana Blouse $119
PRINCIPLES BY BEN DE LISI Puff Sleeve Trench Coat $119
FAITH ‘Krystal’ Satin Sneaker $69.95 ‘Paradise’ Chain Grey Velvet Bag $59.95
STELLA McCARTNEY Sunglasses $545
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SEEING RED GET THE LOOK
FROM BOLD BLOUSES TO TAILORED COATS AND SLICK ACCESSORIES, EVERYWHERE WE LOOK, RED HAS MADE ITS MARK ON OUR HEARTS (AND OUR WARDROBES) THIS SEASON. Injected with a healthy dose of shock value, the colour of passion that was once a hot classic has made a comeback that is bigger and bolder than ever. Appearing in shades of crimson and scarlet, the daring hue has made a powerful statement on everything from streetwear to red carpet Best Dressed lists. With an energetic, youthful update, red has quickly become a fresh staple and its indelible mark is hard to miss. Packing quite the punch, dresses in chilli and power pieces in statement reds are the real star. If you’re still not ready to jump into the red hot water, you can always turn a classic go-to item into a bold look by simply swapping your sensible navy or black coat for a red one.
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Play our exclusive video from Lana Wilkinson
SEEING RED
“EMPOWER YOUR LOOK WITH THIS SEASON’S RED-HOT TREND”
FAITH Circle Gold Chain Shoulder Bag $59.95
STUDIO BY PREEN Victoriana blouse $59 Available mid-September Cape £99
J BY JASPER CONRAN Dark Red Satin Chemise $59.95
CLARINS ‘Graphik’ Joli Rouge $40 Limited Edition
DEBUT ‘Jacqueline’ Panel Dress $229 J BY JASPER CONRAN ‘Jiggle’ Point Court Heel $119
As seen in video WAREHOUSE Scallop Stich Jumper $89.95
STUDIO BY PREEN Soft Pleated Culottes $89.95
FAITH Circle Gold Chain Shoulder Bag $59.95
FAITH ‘Casey’ Sling Back Heel $79.95
McQ Sunglasses $265
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CHECK MATE GET THE LOOK
DONNED BY ACTRESSES AND IT GIRLS ALIKE, CHIC CHECK AND ON-POINT PLAID CAN BE WORN IN A VARIETY OF WAYS MAKING IT THE INVESTMENT PRINT OF THE SEASON.
Play our exclusive video from Lana Wilkinson
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With a nod to our Northern Hemisphere friends, plaid borrowed from the boys is on everyone’s radar this season. From Herringbone trousers with ruffled details to knee-length coats with Houndstooth detail, fresh updates on timeless classics give masculine tailoring a feminine twist. Make stealth moves from sophisticated professional by day to sleek woman of mystery by night with form-fitting dresses that tie at the waist and flouncy miniskirts that add bounce to any occasion. Adding a sense of instant style (and substance) with a Prince of Wales check, traditional suiting gets the royal treatment with the patterns of Britannia. The fashion world has gone mad for plaid, as seen on the streets of London, New York and Paris. Whether you opt for a sharp schoolboy blazer or headto-toe checks, consider this one a smart investment.
CHECK MATE
“ITS SHEER ADAPTABILITY MAKES CHECK AN AUTUMN FAVOURITE”
CLARINS ‘Graphik’ Ink Liner Intense Black $40
STUDIO BY PREEN Vinyl Trench Coat $229
PRINCIPLES BY BEN DE LISI Houndstooth Side Zip Trouser $79.95
STUDIO BY PREEN Check Bonded Jacket $159
PRADA La Femme L’eau Eau de Toilette 100ml $198 Available Mid-March
J BY JASPER CONRAN ‘Jolene’ Winged Heel $119
As seen in video STUDIO BY PREEN Vinyl Trench Coat $229
WAREHOUSE Check Jumper $99.95
WAREHOUSE Faux Leather A-line Skirt $69.95
GUCCI Sunglasses $485
J BY JASPER CONRAN ‘Jaya’ Stretch High Ankle Boots $129
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Autumn Bloom
FOX IN THE FLOWER HOUSE WORDS by Dalya Benor
MELBOURNE-BASED FLORAL STUDIO CECILIA FOX TRANSFORMS FLOWERS INTO LARGER-THAN-LIFE FANTASIES. MEET CREATIVE DIRECTOR MELANIE STAPLETON, WHO CASTS HER MAGIC ON MAKING PETALS LOOK MORE THAN JUST PRETTY. Melanie Stapleton is always in season. In terms of flora and fauna, as the Creative Director of one of Australia’s most prominent floral design studios, she has no choice not to be. Known for creating visionary arrangements that defy expectations, she has garnered projects with some of the best names in art and fashion, working with everybody from cultural institutions such as the NGV and ACCA to Melbourne Fashion Week. Her designs range from awe-inspiring hanging gardens (that give Babylon a run for their money) to whimsical architectural bouquets, filled with an attention to detail so fine it’s almost mind-boggling.
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As a shy 16-year-old who dropped out of school to pursue her botanical dreams, Stapleton’s first
INTERVIEW
job was at a local suburban florist. Her early days were less than glamorous, however — as a young apprentice, “sweeping, serving customers and making coffee” were all in a day’s work. Making flower arrangements come to life with her green thumb is no easy feat — aside from steeping herself deep in the world of nature, knowledge of history is key to building a foundation from which to grow. In fact, Stapleton laid her floral roots in the UK, where she worked for a few years. “Almost everything I do comes from the
grounding and education I received working for some of London’s most esteemed florists. The natural landscape in Britain is something that subconsciously informs all of my work,” she says. Fashion has always looked to nature and botany for inspiration and it seems as though Stapleton’s work at Cecilia Fox may have been on more than a few mood boards this season — the floral trend was on nearly every runway.
says — “for me Autumn always conjures up images of fading grandeur, giant Dahlias, full-blown garden roses and an Autumnal arrangement would not be complete without giant branches of liquid amber foliage.” A truly poetic arrangement indeed. Cecilia Fox x Debenhams Autumn Bloom installation in-store March 1–3
What does this all look like for Autumn? Well, she 11
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FIND US GROUND & LOWER GROUND FLOORS ST COLLINS LANE, 260 COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE
@debenhamsau debenhamsaustralia.com.au Download the 'Debenhams Australia' App
MARC JACOBS Daisy Twinkle Eau de Toilette 50ml, Limited Edition $89 Daisy Eau So Fresh 75ml, $99 Daisy Dream 50ml $89